Rugby Club Issue 61 | Page 13

Scunthorpe We have a special study centre on site which was set up by ‘Study United’ a government initiative from a number of years ago. This gives ‘hard to reach students’ the opportunity to engage in healthy lifestyle choices as well as getting specific intervention in their educational progress. We also host the town’s only family bonfire. Our first team pre match lunches raise money for charity. Finally our clubhouse hosts a number of activities from Salsa, Flower arranging to spectacular weddings.” Challenges/Ambitions “Player retention is a key issue I have alluded to already. If we gain promotion this year that will provide us with our biggest challenge as we will want to keep our squad and try to add to it as and where the coaches see fit. As our community presence grows we have an ambitious plan that our Head Coach Tim Robinson is heading up. We are setting up a Rugby Academy in conjunction with North Lindsey College. This will allow young players to study for level three courses (A levels etc.) and to go on and do a degree course and be based in Scunthorpe. We often lose talented players who go away to University and never come back. This way we can offer students a seamless transition through to University and still maintain their ties with Scunthorpe Rugby Club. Like all initiatives this has a cost to it and we are actively seeking some local or national sponsorship. The academy would have the name of the Company on all kit etc. and it would called the ACME Academy, for instance, and would get some prominent exposure within the town and further afield. So any prospective sponsors are most welcome.” www.sportip.biz 13